Mark joined the ABC in 1995 as part of the Saturday Breakfast gardening segment. After a sabbatical in 2006, he returned in 2007, this time on screen as the Weatherman, a role he describes with great fondness.

"I grew up with the ABC, and being part of the ABC 7 o'clock news was a real thrill and a pleasure, a privilege to be a part of," says Mark.

Mark quickly grew to be recognisable as the weatherman with the flower, something he lists as a highlight of the job.

"I'd be out in the streets and someone would say 'Are you the weatherman?', and that was a real thrill...that they felt comfortable enough that they could approach me and say 'What flower are you wearing tonight?'"

Mark is about to undertake what he describes as a "seniors gap year", something of an understatement.

"I'm going to ride a postie bike from Sydney, across America, through Europe, Central Asia, Asia, back to Darwin, then back to Canberra!"

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Virginia Haussegger anchors the 7pm ABC News in the ACT and has worked with Mark more closely than most.

"There are lots of good bits about working with Mark...the best bit and the bit that has touched me most is that he is just such a positive person, a really happy, honest person.

"I know people think he's a dag, and he is a dag, he's an incredible dag! But I find Mark, what he has done, how he has handled himself and what he's going on to do truly inspirational".

Before being the weatherman we all know and love, Mark solved listeners gardening dilemmas on Saturday Breakfast with Alex Sloan.

Alex warmly remembers her time on air with Mark

"His generosity knows no bounds, [even] the umpteenth call about yellowing leaves on a lemon tree, his answer was full of enthusiasm: 'that's a great question Harry, have you tried weeing on it?'".

"Most of all he's one of the most gifted communicators to walk through the doors of ABC Canberra. Through all his fun 'well not much rain, in fact not enough to fill a dog's bowl', or 'really cold tonight, in fact it could be a three dog night' he's engaged his audience like none other.

"Mark and I have had our disagreements over the years - he thinks it's hot if the temperature is above 25 degrees, I don't think it's hot until it's over 35! Also Mark is not a fan of extended daylight saving and I love it.

"But I will be ever grateful to Mark for sharing the canny commentary of Slinky the Weather Dog and for letting me know when my Mum in Nowra needed to bring in the washing!

"I wish Mark all the best on his gap year but we will miss him very much. His adventurous spirit is to be commended, but he will leave a big gap on 666 Drive!

ACT ABC News Editor, John Mulhall, says Mark is a big loss to the news room.

"He's been such a fantastic contributor to our nightly bulletins" explains John, adding "He's brought a unique flavour to the weather forecasts, always with a great affection for the ACT and surrounding regions.

"But more than that, he's been a terrific ambassador for the ABC in Canberra. No-one at the ABC is more in demand for public appearances and it's a community contribution he's always been happy to make.

"In many ways Mark is an irreplaceable asset and in the short term we won't be recruiting a new weather presenter but will have our newsreaders present the weather details from the news desk, a practice long-established on the weekends."

The final word then to Mark, who will miss us as much as we will miss him.

"I go with sadness, but at the same time I leave with excitement because this is a new stage of my life".